The transformative power of words and music.

Singer-songwriter Dennis Welch shares his journey from a Texas childhood filled with libraries and country music to a creative renaissance that has earned him multiple Grammy ballot considerations in his 60s and 70s.

We discuss the pivotal teachers who changed his life path, the moment he almost walked away from music forever, and how dinner with friends in a Mexican restaurant reignited his passion for recording.

Dennis offers heartfelt advice on why adult creators should ignore cultural expectations regarding age, the benefits of creative pursuits for mental wellbeing, and the importance of perseverance in the face of uncertainty.

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Purpose, Piano and the Goosebump Compass with Steve Goldberg

Strings, Spirituality and Stillness with Jennifer Roig-Francolí

Rich Chambers keeps rocking

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Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

Merging professional expertise with a lifelong passion for ocean conservation.

Jessica Adanich shares her journey from a childhood immersed in creativity to founding Fuzzy Sharks and Sharkapalooza, a non-profit art and conservation festival in Florida.

Jessica chats with Claire about the challenges of art school, the resilience required to pivot careers during economic downturns, and the importance of separating personal identity from professional critique. We touch on the scientific theory of biophilia and how Jessica's 'fuzzy shark' soft sculptures help people connect with misunderstood marine life.

Hear about the bravery involved in moving across the country to follow a dream, the realities of balancing a design agency with passion projects, and why taking a chance on yourself is the ultimate creative act, as well as:

• How art can hit differently than verbal communication in conservation efforts.
• The transition from corporate marketing at Mace to launching an independent design studio.
• Overcoming the fear of failure and the importance of pushing out of your comfort zone.
• The growth of Sharkapalooza from a microbrewery event to a city-wide festival featuring major aquariums and OSEARCH.

Connect with Jessica here.

Find Fuzzy Sharks here.

Support the show

Follow @CreativityFoundPodcast on Instagram

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout

Blending filmmaking and fiction: Neil Laird is a veteran documentary filmmaker and television executive who rediscovered a new creative spark in midlife through writing fiction.

In this episode Neil shares his journey from a small steel town in Pennsylvania to directing documentaries for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, and eventually finding the courage to self-publish his own novels at the age of 50.

Inspired by the fearless reinvention of David Bowie, Neil discusses the transition from the 'tedious' corporate side of television back to the joy of making things up.

He delves into his Prime Time Travelers series of novels, which blends his deep knowledge of ancient history with satirical takes on the chaos of TV production, and offers inspiring advice for adults looking to reignite their own passions: stop waiting for the stars to align, don't be afraid of the first 'rubbish' draft, and surround yourself with cheerleaders rather than naysayers.

• Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected: Neil recounts how a period of unemployment led him to the New York Public Library, where a chance encounter with a book on ancient history completely shifted his creative trajectory and led to his first documentary on the Great Sphinx.
• The Midlife Creative Shift: Turning 50 served as a catalyst for Neil to explore fiction. Inspired by the fearless innovation of David Bowie, he decided to move beyond the constraints of documentary filmmaking to imagine historical worlds with a fresh coat of paint.
• Blending Expertise with Satire: After struggling to find an agent for a traditional historical novel, Neil found his unique voice by blending his professional background with fiction in his Prime Time Travelers series – a satirical look at a film crew messing up history.
• The Power of Creative Independence: Neil discusses his decision to self-publish, allowing him to maintain creative control over his characters and storylines, including diverse and LGBTQ+ representation that might have been lost in traditional publishing.
• Advice for Aspiring Creatives: Neil emphasises the importance of starting now, surrounding yourself with cheerleaders rather than naysayers, and not being afraid of the inevitable first draft being a load of rubbish.

Support the show

Follow @CreativityFoundPodcast on Instagram

Want to be a guest on Creativity Found? Send me a message on PodMatch, here

Podcast recorded with Riverside and hosted by Buzzsprout